An MHK has welcomed capital funding for public rights of way in the 2026 Budget but expressed disappointment that it falls short of the full amount identified as necessary by a Tynwald working group.
The Budget allocates £700,000 capital funding to the Department of Infrastructure for Public Rights of Way (PROW) improvements.
A contingency has also been made available to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture for repair work.
However, the Budget does not include a clearly identified recurring revenue funding stream of £831,301 as recommended by the working group.
The group’s July 2025 report set out a total annual requirement of £1.53 million to bring the network back to a safe and sustainable standard, including a maintenance backlog of £1.48 million.
Hard Fought
“The £700k capital allocation is a welcome and hard fought for,” Manx Labour Party MHK Sarah Maltby said.
“But, it represents only part of what was unanimously recognised as necessary.
“Without sustained revenue funding, the PROW Work Force cannot properly clear the backlog, maintain standards or future-proof the network. It is just not possible.”
Mrs Maltby noted that the revenue funding may have been absorbed within wider departmental uplifts but is not shown as a standalone line.
Further
“Getting to this point has taken a significant amount of work and while this represents a level of progress, I am disappointed that Treasury could not go further at this time,” she said.
“Although this outcome reflects four years of sustained effort, I understand that many will feel disappointed. I feel that way too.
“I gave it my very best but this result does fall short of what was needed, for that I am sorry. I could not have done anymore than I have.”
The campaign followed a petition presented by David Buttery to Tynwald Hill in July 2021.
Mrs Maltby thanked those who gave evidence or helped maintain momentum, and said she had confidence the workforce would make good use of the funding allocated.